Can slower be better

At first glance, one may wonder if UTEP will slow down too much to help its superstar senior, Stefon Jackson, now that there are "big-and-tall" guys under the hoop.

Jackson's been leading the "no-height" Miners three years. At 6-5, he's basically been the big guy, even for a man who plays outside, too — and spins and twists and races down the floor dribbling the ball. He's been a key rebounder.

UTEP hasn't been "big-and-good" since Maxey/Van Dyke in the early 1990s. It hasn't been "big-and-real-good"since Foster/Davis before that.

No, no, no. Bomba/Fajardo was not good.

I'm saying this new size could benefit Jackson's game, UTEP and Jackson's career in the pros. Look what having Foster/Davis did for Tim Hardaway.

Yes, the Miners will be slower with a couple of 6-11s and a 7-footer Coach Tony Barbee can choose from like he never has before. Nor did Doc Sadler or Billy Gillispie — or Haskins in his last years.

Now, when opponents come out to get in Jackson's face, he can fire a pass inside. A real big guy, no matter if he's not agile and is slow, is unstoppable against one or zero defenders between him and the hoop.

Also, if the big guys prove good players, and defenses sag on them, there's Stefon on the outside, where he's always been a good jump shooter.

This is a good situation, I think, for Jackson and for UTEP.

Comments

[Escapista]

Finally:

This is completely true, now lets see whats going to happen if teams decide to collapse on Stefon, bujah!!! Cooper & Britten will punish those teams, is time for UTEP basketball to shine; Culpepper is going to come alive and also be a punishing factor draining treys.

This is going to be fun; the inside and out game is going to GO OFF with a big time Offensive output, mark my words NCAA here we come!!!!!

[OPT]

I think Escapista won the OPT last week.

My prediction for this week is UTEP 42 - ULL 35

BTW Joe, Maxey and Van Dyke made it to the Elite 8.

- Toasted

[Angry Johnny]

Not so, toasty. Maxey and Van Dyke went to the Sweet 16, where the Miners lost to Cincinnati.

[Maven]

Whatever speed gets UTEP a "W" is the right speed.

[Lowercase Ray]

The Rajin Cajuns have been on a roll lately while UTEP has been going the other way. This will be a different type of game for UTEP, as the Cajuns are a running team first and throw only to mix it up. UTEP needs to concentrate on stopping the running of RB Tyrell Fenroy and of QB Desormeaux. That's it stop those two from running and you'll control their main weapons. They are 5-3 and undefeated in the Sun Belt Conference. The three games they have lost to were to teams outside of their conference. This includes a 51-21 loss to Southern Miss; granted it was a road game for them. So them winning four SBC games in a row might be a bit deceiving. Where would UTEP be if we were in that conference. I find this to be a totally winable game. So I'm going to put my hat in UTEP's ring.

UTEP 40
Cajuns 33

[Toasted Whitebred]

I stand corrected but they still did better than the Davis, Foster Miners in the tournament.